JH: What’s the book about?
CC: As the title indicates, it’s about my live and loves. My life in the theatre and other loves as well.

JH: Tell us more about the content of your book.
CC: Each chapter is a complete story in and of itself. Each chapter tells about a specific thing, event, person.

JH: You obviously love the theatre.
CC: I started acting on the stage at the age of 16 and appeared in dozens and dozens of shows for more than twenty years.

JH: Why did you leave the theatre?
CC: I left the theatre at the height of my career to walk besides my husband, Freddy. We were together for 36 years. In all those years, until he passed away, I never looked back in regret.

JH: Did you ever perform in the Valley?
CC: Oh, yes. Many times. I was in “Death of a Salesman,” “On Golden Pond,” “Driving Miss Daisy” and other shows. I also performed in my own one-woman show.

JH: Why have you stayed at Desert Island all those years?
CC: I wake up every morning and see how beautiful everything is around me. I think I’m in heaven.

It’s very rare for a writer to have a book published on his or her very first try. Carolyn Hughey (Building 910 and a Desert Island resident for five years) has accomplished that feat. Her first book and first novel, “Cupid’s Web” was published by Avalon in October.

JOEL HOCHBERG: What inspired you to write?
CAROLYN HUGHEY: I dabbled in writing several years ago as a means of escapism from my busy culinary business. In my heart, I always knew I was going to write, but I never expected it to amount to anything because I didn’t know the first thing about writing a novel.

Years later, I’d begun reading romantic comedies by authors such as Janet Evanovich and Holly Jacobs. Their stories were so reminiscent of my crazy life; it was then that I realized I had a story to tell.

JH: How long have you been writing?
CH: I’ve been writing for three years; “Cupid’s Web” was my very first manuscript, and Avalon was the very first publisher I’d sent my manuscript to, never expecting to hear from them. Needless to say, I was flabbergasted when they called and made the offer.

JH: How did you learn the writing craft?
CH: By attending every workshop, retreat, and conference I could. By devouring every book on the craft, and through memberships in several online writing chapters, whose members graciously shared their knowledge.